Hi. I am new to the University and to the forums, and quite frankly to the world of horses in general. I will gratefully listen to any advice and help.
I am a middle aged (54) woman who has been riding for about two years now. My horse is a 20 year old Quarter Horse, who thinks that he is 12. We've been working well together with my trainer for the past 18 months. His ground manners were atrocious and we've worked very hard on this and have come a long way.
I was recently approached by another horse owner at the barn. She and her husband have had a great deal of tragedy in their lives. They have a 7 year old Peruvian/Haflinger that they have not had the time or energy to work with. These are very nice people who rescued this horse from a really bad situation. They had great plans to work with him before their lives took a different path.
They asked me to consider taking this horse for myself and my grown daughter.
Comet (my new horse) has trust issues because of the way he was originally "trained". I don't know all of the situation, but I know he was hit with a broomstick as part of his training. I have just worked with getting him to let me catch him and come to me. He will now willingly let that happen. He danced around A LOT during our first grooming session. During our second session yesterday, he was much more relaxed and let me take care of his hooves. By the end of the session, he was really nuzzling me and pretty much giving hugs. He has been ridden off and on, but I'm not planning on riding him until we've done a lot of ground work and really established a relationship.
I am not able to use the round pen right now for join-up as it is really muddy from our Midwest 80 inch snow melt off. There is a nice indoor arena.
So, I guess I'm asking for any advice or encouragement from all of you who have much more experience. Thanks for reading my long story.
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Horse Behavior and Training
Learning to train horses at middle age
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Hi Teresa!
Welcome to the UNI and to the world of Equus! Even though you might be new to the world of horses, your life-experience will be of great help to cope with your new horse. Congratulations on taking this horse, he'll need a friend more than any other horse, he's been through very tough times and with his former owners he could already start a new life.
Now it's your turn to gain his trust and step by step help him overcome his trauma's.
Since you cannot start with Join-Up, due to the weather, I would consider just sitting with him, to get a feeling for his personality and his fears. Later you might be able to take him to the indoor arena and do a Join-Up there. You'll find a lesson on this UNI about doing "Join-Up without a roundpen/ head shy". This may help you a lot. Take all time in the world, what counts is a good horse, not how fast you achieve things.
Considering his history you could have to deal with headshyness as well. The broomstickstory sure is something you'll have to work on. On headshy horses there are quite some lesseons here.
For fear of sticks you'll find a lot of lessons working with "Plasticbags on a stick", this is a method Monty uses for overcoming all sorts of fears in horses. Most important is that you understand, that when confronting a horse with something he fears, you're in a safe position. May I suggest that you watch as many lessons as possible before trying this by yourself.
It's not a bad idea to search a Monty Roberts Instructor where you live. It takes some time before we have the musclememory to react to the horse's movements in an adequate way.
I'd suggest you get a Duallyhalter for Comet, I guess he would fit into the red one, but make sure it fits properly (there comes a DVD with the halter to help you do so) and a longline to clip on the trainingring on the Dually. Only try this until you feel secure you can handle it.
The method is as follows: you confront the horse with a light bamboestick, one end has some rubber to rub him with, the other end a plastic shoppingbag tied together with some rubberbands.
You start with the small side of the stick and see if you can groom his whithers with the end of it. Should he have a "big" reaction, hold the rubber in your hand and hide the stick behind your body, then groom him with the rubber. As soon as he accepts it, take it away. He'll "teach the stick to go away", when he stands still and accepts it. Now you can make the part that looks out of your hand a little longer, taking small incremental steps, until he accepts the whole length of the stick.
When you have that in place, turn the stick around an start with the plastic tied together and do the same ritualistic procedure with this side of the stick. Next step would be to open the plasticbag a little, add the crankling of plastic and some volume to the procedure. Always take it away as soon as he accepts the next step. This way he can overcome his fear and build a deep trust with you.
I'm aware the above describtion is quite long and maybe too difficult for you to strart with, but it might help you to see the path you can travel with him. Don't hesitate to get all the help you can find, time is not important, a happy horse is!
Feel free to ask as many questions you have, it'll help you and it'll help us to put into words how to help you on your way with your lucky rescue horse!
Don't try anything you don't feel up to, stay safe and keep us posted,
Miriam
Hi Teresa,
Welcome!
Not much more to add to Miriam except we're here to help with anything you might come up against with Comet or any other horse you might help or own. I've rescued 3 horses, 2 of them extremely headshy and it does take time for their confidence to come back, even when joining up with them. Sometimes quick movements when not thinking fully what you're doing can make them back away quickly. Patience and understanding will take you on a lovely journey and friendship.
I'm 46 have I hit that middle age yet?? ;-)
Mel
x
Hi Teresa,
I'm new here too!!! So welcome to the party.
As Ms. Miriam says, get a Dully halter. I would suggest getting at least one long line too. Its soft, easy to work with and will save your hands for sure.
I'm no expert but even if you can learn the four signs and how to communicate in Equus with your body language from the Join-up lesson, it will be in valuable. Just in the small space of a stall you will be talking to your horse. It could be like a mini join-up till you can get to the covered arena or things dry out.
There is also a lesson about doing Join-up in large spaces. I had to do it with my new horse in a small arena with four corners. So Join-up can be done like in any space. So with Join-up and a Dully halter you will be well on your way to great experience with your horses. Trust me when Mr. Roberts says its almost impossible to work with a horses using a traditional halter that have had violence introduced as a part of training (see SPOOKY KADINA CHRONICLES lessons).
My big off the track race horse liked to tear my hands off using traditional halter and long lead. Luckily my Dully Halter and long lines came in the mail the next day. If you see how “Kadina” acted with Mr. Roberts in the first lesson that was like mild compared to my “Alex”. But like the lessons went with “Kadina” and Mr. Roberts. Within 15 minuets you will see a different horse. But it sounds like you have done a great job starting your horses already.
Hi Teresa welcome to the uni. and to forum. You have some good advice here so all the best with it. You will learn so much from Monty's videos and we are here to help you too if we can. All the best and stay safe.
Hi Teresa
Welcome to the Uni. and glad you decided to seek the help of this wonderful resource. Be sure to look through the lessons and watch them over and over again to pick up the body movements that are not mentioned.
Sounds like you are off to a good start in the right direction.
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Miriam liked your description. Is that a new picture of you with Monty?
Hi Amberpony,
Thank you! Yes, this picture was taken last Friday in Mönchengladbach, where Monty started his Germanytour this year, I was a member of the localcrew (had to travel 5 hours for it, so not local!). This time I had the privilege to be Monty's right hand at the signingstand, opening books and other items to be signed. It's wonderful to be around Monty and learn from him even in such situations! Great Demo, too!
How is Joey doing? Is he still at Flag Is Up Farms?
Let us know how you're doing!
Miriam
Miriam- email me please dianacmc@msn.com
Miriam How exciting to be part of the Local Crew! So how long did the book signing last? Glad you had a Great time with Monty! Where would you start a Thread to consolidate Joeys time at Flag Is Up?
Not wanting to high jack someone else thread.
Hi Amberpony,
Go to "Forum" at the top of this page, scroll down until you find the possibility to "choose a topic to start a new post" and there you go!
When Monty does his demo's he's at the signingstand one hour before the show, then during the half hour break and again after the last horse. People buy the books and other items like Dually halters etc, and want them signed by Monty. After the last horse he also takes the time to write dedications, since people ask for them very often. He'll stay at the stand as long as it takes, may it be until after midnight! So many pictures to take! Mine was taken before the public came in.
I'm in awe about the energy Monty has, long days of 16 hours of high concentration are not rare. TV interviews and all other side effects are normal between working with -and watching his Instructors work with- the horses, that will not be in the show that evening.
Those that will be used in the show are only presented to Monty by one of the instructors, so he can decide if the goal he wants to reach can be dealt with in half an hour's time, so that people see results. So much to watch and learn from!
I'm looking forward to reading your new thread about Joey's time at Flag Is Up Farms!
Miriam
Miriam sounds like you had an amazing experience! Wonder how many people you will inspired to go to a Clinic after they read your description.
Hi Amberpony,
And I didn't even describe the horse-side of the demo! Most fun of all is watching the horses learn and overcome their fears, and their owners see a new path ahead of them!
It IS inspiring....
Miriam